Alphabet Wordsigns

Single letters that stand for whole words.

Learn

Everything so far has been uncontracted braille. Grade 2 (contracted) braille adds contractions: shortcuts that save space and speed up reading. Most braille books are written in contracted braille.

The simplest are alphabetic wordsigns: a single letter, standing alone, that means a whole word. b means “but,” c means “can,” d means “do.” The cell is identical to the letter; only its standing-alone use changes the meaning.

butdots 1, 2The letter b standing alone. Means the whole word only when it stands alone.
candots 1, 4The letter c standing alone. Means the whole word only when it stands alone.
dodots 1, 4, 5The letter d standing alone. Means the whole word only when it stands alone.
everydots 1, 5The letter e standing alone. Means the whole word only when it stands alone.
fromdots 1, 2, 4The letter f standing alone. Means the whole word only when it stands alone.
godots 1, 2, 4, 5The letter g standing alone. Means the whole word only when it stands alone.

Your Turn

Write It Yourself

Braille is read by touch and written dot by dot. Recreate each character below in the writer. The best way to make it stick.

but (current)
can
do
every
from
go

Character 1 of 6

Write:but

Keys F D S and J K L (or 1–6) raise dots · Enter checks

Practice

Keep Practicing: Contraction Sprint

Finish writing the characters above, then this practice activity will help it stick.

Tip There are 23 alphabetic wordsigns in all. You’ve just met the first handful.